What is Holi?

Holi, the Festival of Colours, is a major Hindu spring festival celebrated primarily in India and Nepal on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Hindu month of Phalguna — typically in March. The festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil, the arrival of spring, the end of winter, and the blossoming of love.

The festival is rooted in several Hindu myths. The most widely told is the story of Prahlad and Holika: Prahlad, a devotee of Vishnu, was protected from his evil aunt Holika's attempt to burn him alive, while Holika herself was consumed by the fire. This myth is commemorated on the eve of Holi with a bonfire (Holika Dahan). The colourful aspect of the festival is associated with the god Krishna, who according to tradition playfully drenched the gopis (milkmaids) with coloured water.

On Holi, participants smear each other with coloured powder (gulal) and spray coloured water, regardless of age, gender, or social status. The festival is increasingly celebrated by the South Asian diaspora worldwide and has gained popularity in many Western countries as a symbol of joy and inclusivity. It is a public holiday in India, Nepal, and parts of other countries with significant Hindu populations.